Narrative of a Voyage to the Southern Atlantic Ocean, in the Years 1828, 29, 30, Performed in HM Sloop Chanticleer 2 Volume Set

HMS Chanticleer sailed to the South Atlantic under the experienced surveyor Captain Henry Foster to study longitude and the figure of the earth. This two-volume work, published in 1834 by the ship's surgeon, describes South America, South Africa and Panama, where Foster tragically drowned, and summarises the expedition's scientific findings.

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W. H. B. Webster (1793–1875) studied medicine and surgery in London, and in 1815 signed up to serve in the Royal Navy as an assistant surgeon. Because it was peacetime, however, he did not secure a position until 1828, when he was posted as ship's surgeon on the South Atlantic scientific mission of HMS Chanticleer under Captain Henry Foster (1796–1831), a Fellow of the Royal Society with extensive experience of surveying expeditions. Published in 1834, this is Webster's two-volume account of the Chanticleer voyage, the objectives of which included work on longitudes, and carrying out gravity pendulum experiments at various latitudes to attempt more accurate calculation of the shape of the earth. Volume 1 describes Webster's impressions of South America, South Africa and Ascension Island. Volume 2 focuses first on Panama, where Foster tragically drowned; the second half of the volume summarises the scientific observations made during the voyage.